Church of the Ascension: The First 100 Years, 1884 to 1984

compiled by Samuel T. Bodine and William T. Hord,

published by the Church of the Ascension,

Saranac Inn Post Office, New York, MCMLXXXIV

FOREWORD

1895 view of the Church door Blanche Riddle on left; Laura Davis on right.
Unidentified gentleman in the middle.
The illustrations are taken from photographs belonging to the Church of the Ascension,
from those of Frank J. Firth and other members of the congregation.A longlived institution being not only the shadow but also the mirror of those dedicated people who nurtured it during and since its conception, now in the Saranac summer of 1984 we celebrate the Centennial of our chapel on the hill.

From 1884 to 1984 the Church of the Ascension has shown its ability to adjust and to grow with the times without giving in to them. And it continues today to serve present times as well as to fulfill the original purposes of its founders.

A number of years ago Charles L. Ritchie, Jr. then President of the Board of Trustees, put together in booklet form an articulate and graceful brief history of the Church of the Ascension. Our current President, Peyton R. Biddle, has asked that we update and augment the earlier booklet in recognition of the Church's first 100 years of service to our summer community.

A 100th birthday is indeed a special occasion deserving of special joy in its attainment. The record states "There is evidence that some very informal worship services were held in the unfinished Church as early as 1884, there being one bare room with chairs." Such was the genesis of the Church of the Ascension. A century is a long time.

T. S. Eliot believed that individuals and institutions should be interested in historical research—that we should go back to where we started and thus know ourselves for the first time. On this Centennial of the Church of the Ascension, we are fortunate that others have been interested in researching the origins of the church. There can be no doubt that writings of the past are written for the future. This book tells us where we have been and may be of interest to future generations who, we hope, will love the little log church on the hill as much as we do.

June 1984
S.T.B.
W.T.H.

THE FOUNDATION

The Church of the Ascension is celebrating its Centennial but without a documented founding date. The Trustees, not without good and sufficient reasons, decided that 1984 would be the year of our observance. This is perhaps untidy but is not unusual when one considers the conditions prevailing 100 years ago. Probably there was no single inaugural act which resulted in the building of the Church.

A formal organization was not considered necessary until the fall of 1902 when the Saranac Inn Church Committee was formed. This history will deal with the activities of the Church Committee in a later section. We would, however, know nothing about the early days of the church had it not been that in 1903, the first Chairman of the Committee started to write for historical details to individuals who were then alive and had been active in the affairs of the summer community when the church was built. The first reply was from Dr. William Rush Dunton and was dated January 6, 1904. Dr. Dunton owned the log "Cabin" which subsequently became the property of Mr. Thomas Blagden.

When Dr. Dunton first went to Saranac Inn (then known as the Prospect House), the hotel was owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. William Derby. It was in the year 1879 that Dr. Dunton first noted the beautiful view of the lake from the hill where the church is now located. In the summer of 1880, Dr. Dunton was abroad and Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Chandler occupied the "Cabin" as his guests. They also visited the "Cabin" in 1881 and 1882. It was during the latter year that Mr. Chandler died. Also in that year Dr. Dunton talked with Messrs. Daniel W. Riddle, Quincy Riddle and also Mrs. Edward L. Trudeau about building a summer chapel. In a letter to Mr. Firth, dated September 21, 1905, Dr. Trudeau said that his wife had suggested to Dr. Dunton the site for the building. In a letter dated December 8, 1905 Mary Chandler Lewis, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Chandler, stated that her father had also participated in the choice of a site as well as Mr. Derby, the proprietor of the hotel.

Dr. Dunton's letter says that in 1882 he and the Messrs. Riddle interested the summer people in the church project "who, by liberal contributions, fairs, etc. gave enough to start the enterprise."

Mary Chandler Lewis went on to say Mr. Derby was so enthusiastic about the project that he promised to contribute the logs needed to build the church. Unfortunately, Mr. Derby died during the winter of 1882-83 and "Mrs. Derby found it impossible to fulfill his intention. This delayed the building."View of Upper Saranac Lake from site of CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION.
In left foreground: point upon which was located Prospect House (later, Saranac Inn). In far right background: Green Island, Moss Rock Point and Buck Island.

As Mrs. Derby did not wish to operate the hotel alone, a group of interested persons purchased the property from her and renamed the hotel, Saranac Inn. This group was composed of Dr. Samuel B. Ward, Mr. Frederick H. Gibbens, Mr. Daniel W. Riddle, Mr. Quincy Riddle, Dr. William Rush Dunton, Mr. R. Singleton Peabody, and Mrs. Charles W. Chandler. This group was not incorporated and was probably a partnership from the legal point of view. It is significant that those persons most active in the church building project were now part owners of Saranac Inn and thus in a position to further the project. Mrs. Chandler pledged an altar window in memory of her husband. The lumber to build the Church of the Ascension was furnished by the unincorporated association and their employees did the work. A New York architect, a Mr. Jardine, who was no doubt a guest at the Inn, contributed his architectural services and supervised the building of the church at no charge.

It may have been that the construction of the church began in 1883 but it seems more likely that the work started in 1884 and continued into 1885 because in a letter to Mr. Firth, dated November 12, 1905, Mrs. Frederick H. Gibbens quotes from Mr. Gibbens' diary as follows: "Saturday, September 5, 1885 — The Church finished tonight. Sunday, September 6, 1885 — Go to the first service in the little log church on the hill. Mr. Dotten performed Service."

Rear of original Church building showing the Charles W. Chandler memorial window.
Note the door opening directly into the Chancel to provide ingress and egress for the officiating minister.

Thus, planning for the church and fund raising was done in 1882 and 1883. Because of the unforseen circumstance of Mr. Derby's death, the construction was delayed but the first service in the completed building was held in 1885. Giving greater weight to the importance of the latter part of this four year period, it seemed logical to celebrate the Centennial in 1984.

Original church building showing bark still in place on logs. The front has not yet been shingled.
The diamond shaped stained glass window over the portico was a gift of Miss Helen C. Whitney.

THE CHURCH COMMITTEE

In 1902 a group of twenty-one concerned members of the congregation of the Church of the Ascension decided that the church should be administered by a Committee rather than continue the informal management services provided by the owners of Saranac Inn. These owners were no longer a group of individuals but rather a corporation. It is important to this history to record how this change took place.

The individuals who bought the hotel property from Mrs. Derby decided to create a stock company which was incorporated in 1889 as the Upper Saranac Association, Inc. Individual partnership members then transferred land to the corporation in exchange for stock, except for Mrs. Chandler and Dr. Dunton.

"The Saranac Inn Church Committee was organized to undertake, by agreement with the Upper Saranac Association, the custody and care of the Saranac Inn Church property and Services." This quote comes from the first Parish Register.

Thomas BlagdenFrank J. Firth

6

A special committee was charged with the task of drafting By-Laws and, on October 22, 1902, addressed a circular letter to those proposing to organize the Church Committee, and enclosing the result of this work. On November 1, 1902, the Organizing Committee adopted the By-Laws, constituted themselves as the Saranac Inn Church Committee and elected the following Executive Committee and Officers:

	Executive Committee
D. W. Riddle		F. D. Lewis
Thomas Blagden	F. S. Bangs	Frank J. Firth

Officers

Frank J. Firth, Chairman
F. S. Bangs, Treasurer
Thomas Blagden, Secretary

This Committee had power to act between meetings of the General Committee.

F. D. Lewis F. S. Bangs

D. W. RiddleMr. Riddle had been active in the building of the church and its care since 1885. He was also an organizer of the Upper Saranac Association and a stockholder thereof and represented the Association on the Executive Committee.

The Committee went to work at once with much enthusiasm. The first order of business was to negotiate an Agreement with the Association. This document was signed on November 26, 1902 and in part provided that the Church Committee had "sole charge of the direction of the services to be held in said Church, including the selection of the Minister or Ministers and all necessary details, etc." The Upper Saranac Association agreed to pay one-half of the cost of maintenance of the church property. The Church Committee paid for everything else. Annual rental paid by the Church Committee to the Association was $1.00.

Further activities of the Church Committee will be included in this History in various categorical sections.

THE CHURCH

In 1888 the addition of a bell tower was considered and rejected. This is the architect's concept of this rather interesting structure.
Almost immediately after its creation, the Executive Committee decided to raise operating funds and accordingly wrote the following circular letter on April 27, 1903.

Dear Sir,
The Saranac Inn Church Committee is in need of funds and invites contributions from its members. The Committee has obtained custody of the Church building under an agreement with the Upper Saranac Association, the details of which will be fully reported at our Annual Meeting.

A fund of about $300 is required to pay for extensive and necessary repairs to the church building; for additional prayer books and hymnals; for camp chairs to increase the seating capacity of the Church meeting the demand that will be caused by the greater number of guests at the enlarged Inn and to meet the expenses of conducting the services supplementing, if required, the Sunday offertory. Voluntary contributions are invited from the members of the Committee.

Remittances should be made to Mr. F. S. Bangs, Treasurer, 40 Wall Street, New York.

Signed,
The Executive Committee

The sum of $360.00 was raised as a result of this call.

It is interesting to note how much in the way of material and services a dollar would buy in 1903. The minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Church Committee describe what was done: "Mr. Blagden personally supervised repairs including shingling the front of the church building and the porch, together with necessary interior repairs and closing all openings between the logs forming the walls of the building. (Editor's Note: a man chinked all the logs with moss at a total cost of $8.) A new flight of steps, boat landing and small platform were added. The total cost of this work was $281.50, of which the Association paid one-half or $140.75 and the Committee the other half, i.e., $140.75. Twenty-four camp chairs were purchased to be used in increasing the capacity of the church; 100 prayer books and hymnals; a bible, prayer book and hymnal for the use of the minister. Also a signal banner with red diagonal stripes was arranged to be displayed on the Inn flag pole when services, owing to inclement weather, are to be held in the room over the boathouse." At this August 26, 1903 Annual Meeting, it was also reported that the Executive Committee "has seriously considered enlarging the Church building before the season of 1904 in order that there may be seats for all persons wishing to attend the services..." The Chair then called for suggestions regarding the enlargement of the church. Upon motion by Mr. Bangs, the question was referred to the Executive Committee with full power to act. At the morning service in the Chapel on Sunday, September 6, 1903, a notice was read by Dr. Richardson and subsequently mailed to all members of the congregation as follows:

Exterior of Church after enlargement showing the newly shingled front. These shingles have lasted for eighty years.The Committee in charge of the Saranac Inn Church desires to raise $1200 for the enlargement of the building and other improvements. Those interested are invited to hand any sums they may be willing to give to any member of the Executive Committee, viz: Frank J. Firth, Chairman; D. W. Riddle; F. D. Lewis; Thomas Blagden, Secretary; F. S. Bangs, Treasurer.

Address: Saranac Inn
P.O. Franklin County
New York

A total sum of $1,337.00 was immediately subscribed. The Executive Committee decided that the church should be cut in half between the chancel and the pews. The chancel end was to be moved directly back and a new 24-foot section to be inserted. Also a new robing room at the rear was to be added. Branch & Callanan of Saranac Lake was awarded the contract—the total cost was $1,250.38. This contract covered not only the enlargement but also the installation of five new windows (two on each side of the addition and one on the east side of the existing chancel) and 15 1/2 new pews with rails in front of the pews nearest the chancel.

Church interior after enlargement. Note that the organ is on the Gospel side and there is no pulpit.In addition, all of the old shingles on the entire roof were to be removed and the roof stripped with 1 " x 2 " shingle strips to be of hemlock of the best quality. The entire roof together with the robing room was to be covered with #1 cedar shingles of best quality dipped in creosote stain before installation. The stain was to be of silver gray. All this work having been completed, the first service in the enlarged church was held on July 3, 1904. In 1916 the Upper Saranac Association served notice that it would no longer pay one-half of the cost of maintaining the church. By 1920 the property was in bad repair and the Church Committee created a fund raising committee charged with the responsibility of raising $3,000. Mr. C. Herman Krumbhaar was chairman. This fund was subscribed "without any real campaign" and the repairs were completed.

In 1923 the advisability of again enlarging the church was discussed but no action was taken. At the Annual Meeting held August 30, 1924, the Church Committee decided "no enlargement considered desirable." In 1935 the Church Committee decided to incorporate. Having acted for the Committee, F. Ferris Hewitt, Esq. of Saranac Lake wrote to Mr. R. G. Monroe of the Committee, saying that the Certificate of Incorporation of the Saranac Inn Chapel had been filed with the Secretary of State in Albany on August 23, 1935. Committee members became Trustees and new By-Laws were adopted. In 1951 the church property of about 2.4 acres was bought from the Upper Saranac Association for $2,600 on the basis of about $1,000 per acre. No value was ascribed to the church building which had not been built or enlarged by the Association but rather with funds and labor contributed by individuals. In the summer of 1952 the Church was dedicated and a carved wooden plaque was erected which listed those persons in whose memory contributions had been made to buy the land. On February 4, 1953 a name change certificate was filed with the Secretary of State changing the name of the church back to the Church of the Ascension. On August 13, 1963 the Trustees approved the expenditure of $2,000 to buy four lots adjacent to the church property.

THE RECTORY

At the meeting of the Church Committee held August 26, 1903 Mr. Blagden said that Dr. Richardson "had won the hearts of all" and that "there was a desire to establish a Rectory for him." (This was the same meeting that authorized the enlargement of the church). The Richardsons had leased a lot on the Back Bay from the Inn but had not been able to build on it. It was proposed that the Church Committee finance the building of a Rectory and maintain it for the use of Dr. Richardson or his successors. The Association would have the right to rent the Rectory if, in any year, it was not occupied as a Rectory. The Association considered this proposal and submitted to the Church Committee a counter proposal as follows: For the enlargement of the church the Association had contemplated a subscription of $650. Instead, the Association agreed to be responsible for building a Rectory "with a value of not less than $1,250" and then lease the building to the Church Committee for $75 per year. Dr. Richardson was consulted in regard to plans for the Rectory. Upon being advised that the Association paid considerably more to build the Rectory than the $1,250, the Committee decided to pay annual rent of $125, even though the Association had not asked for this increase. In 1906 the Committee advised the Association that Dr. Richardson would like to have a boathouse and store room. The Association responded and built these improvements at a cost of $287.14. In 1914 the Church Committee asked the Upper Saranac Association to install a bathroom in the Rectory and agreed to pay $50 more rent. This work was not completed until 1916. A letter of appreciation from Dr. Richardson is quoted in part as follows: "My dear Mr. Blagden. May I ask you at the Annual Meeting to give my affectionate greetings to the Church Committee and to express my sincere appreciation of all their kindness. Their generosity has permitted us to have this home where we have spent so many happy summers and now they have shown a further desire for our comfort by putting a bathroom in the Rectory."

Rectory in 1906 showing newly completed boathouse.

Over a period of years the Church Committee tried to purchase the Rectory from the Upper Saranac Association. Finally, in the fall of 1947, the Association sold the Rectory to the Saranac Inn Chapel Inc. and the Chapel Trustees paid $7,500 for the property. In August of 1966 Mrs. J. W. Moore Richardson accepted the Chairmanship of a Special Committee "to furnish the Rectory and make interior improvements thereto; a motion was made to make available up to $1,000 for this purpose." On August 18, 1968 the Board of Trustees thanked Mrs. Frederic W. Lincoln for her generous contribution of a new electric heating system for the Rectory. In the same year, new roofs for the Rectory buildings were approved.

THE CLERGY

When the Church Committee was organized in 1902, the Rev. Dr. Leonard W. Richardson was Rector and had been since 1898. On December 20, 1902 the Chairman wrote to members of the Church Committee in part as follows: "I understand that the arrangement has heretofore been that the Rector received as his compensation whatever amount was collected in the offertory at the Church services. This was not entirely satisfactory to him (Dr. Richardson) as it interfered with his appealing to the congregation at any service in the interest of any special object." Prior to this time it is doubtful that anyone worried about what the Rector's compensation may have amounted to. In fact, at least one of them received nothing. This fact is documented by a letter dated July 20, 1905 from the Rev. Mr. Howell (rector from 1894 to 1897) to Mr. Firth in which he said, "I did not receive anything for my services but turned everything over to the good work Dr. Trudeau was doing." Since 1903 the clergy have received a specific stipend. Over the years, the clergy have found it necessary to explain to the Episcopal Bishop of Albany that the church is non-sectarian. The first such letter was addressed to the Bishop by Dr. Richardson on October 2, 1926. He stated in part that the church was built "for the use of Protestant and Roman Catholic alike. Consequently it has had no official or formal connection with the Diocese of Albany or with any other church organization." In 1910, at the 8th Annual Meeting, Mr. Blagden records that "The Church building continues to be used for an early service for those of the Roman Catholic faith. The Guide House evening services of song were conducted by Dr. Richardson. The use of a Victor phonograph with sacred music records was added to these services."

The three clergymen who have served for the longest periods of time as Rectors of the Church of the Ascension are:

The Rev. Dr. Leonard W. Richardson — 32 years
The Rev. Canon George A. Robertshaw — 27 years
The Rev. Charles W. Sheerin, Jr. — our present Rector, 18 years

The Rev. Dr. Leonard W. Richardson

The Rev. Charles W. Sheerin, Jr.The Rev. Canon George A. Robertshaw

Passages concerning Dr. Richardson and Dr. Robertshaw have been taken from "A Brief History" of the church written by Mr. Charles L. Ritchie, Jr., and are quoted in part as follows:

At the time of Dr. Richardson's death, "...many tributes were spoken and some printed. He had been a Professor at Trinity College and later at New York State College for Teachers: 'its most respected and best beloved Faculty member.' It is clear from the records...that this high opinion was fully shared by all members of his congregation."

And about Dr. Robertshaw: "His influence permeated the lives of the young and the old and continued to influence those who were young in 1937 as they grew older—first and foremost, our summer Rector was a Priest of God. The members of his congregation knew this was the source of the inspiration for his leadership and few indeed failed to respond."

In this, our Centennial Year, the Rev. Charles W. Sheerin, Jr. will have completed eighteen years as Rector of the Church of the Ascension. He and his fine family are highly regarded members of our summer community. His thoughtful sermons (tinged with a sense of humor) appeal to the members of the congregation of every age.

Since the founding of the Church of the Ascension, the following clergymen have officiated.

The Rev. Milton C. Dotten	1885, 1887-1891
The Rev. Montgomery Throop, Jr	1886
The Rev. Walter H. Larom and Guest Preachers	1892-1893
The Rev. Richard L. Howell	1894-1897
The Rev. Dr. Leonard W. Richardson	1898-1929
The Rev. Dr. Edward S. Travers	1930-1931
The Rev. Dr. Henry Darlington	1932-1936
The Rev. Canon George A. Robertshaw	1937-1964
Guest Preachers	1965
The Rev. Charles W. Sheerin, Jr	1966-present

Other clergy who have taken services as Guest Preachers have been Bishop Robert F. Gibson, Bishop J. I. Blair Lamed, The Rev. Dr. Arthur Lee Kinsolving, The Rev. Professor William Lyon Phelps, The Rev. Dr. Albert J. M. Wilson, The Rev. Edward B. Pollanick, The Rev. Charles A. Perry, The Rev. Dr. J. Burton Thomas, The Rev. Warren G. Davis, The Rev. Edward B. Gammons, Jr., and The Rev. Lawrence Carter.

THE ORGAN

The organ has always been an important part of our services. Over the years we have been blessed with accomplished and dedicated organists. To name a few of them:

Mr. Miles Farrow — served for many years shortly after the turn of the century to be followed by
Mrs. Edwin M. Bulkley, the wife of a member of the Church Committee
Mrs. Frank Magin will be remembered by most of our present congregation and
Mrs. Charles W. Sheerin, Jr., the wife of our Rector.

It is interesting to note that the Church Committee expressed its appreciation to Mr. Farrow and Mrs. Bulkley each year by giving them works of art done by Mr. William L. Distin of Saranac Lake. Mr. William Distin, Jr., also of Saranac Lake, is the grandson of W. L. Distin. He tells us that his grandfather worked in watercolors, oils and was a photographer. It is unfortunate that we cannot say what kind of art the Church Committee bought for the organists.

There seem to have been five organs bought for the church over the years. In 1905 the original organ was replaced and, after rebuilding was used at services in the Guide House. The sequence of events is interesting:

11/26/04 Boxing of old organ $4.00
12/10/04 Freight on organ to Mason & Hamlin Co., New York City, to be rebuilt $2.00
12/13/05 Mason & Hamlin Co. for new organ $219.50
5/31/05 Mason & Hamlin Co. for rebuilding old organ $81.75
5/31/05 Freight charges on both organs from New York City to Saranac Inn $8.82 Total $316.07

THE CONGREGATION AND FAMILY LIFE

The Saranac Inn stage coach not only transported guests to and from the station but also, on Sundays, ran between the Inn and the Church of the Ascension.
At the Church the stage landing platform was located near the present position of the flag pole (1893 photo).

For forty years the Church of the Ascension had in its pews each Sunday, dressed in black and white checked flannel shirts, the boys and monitors of Camp La Jeunesse. This summer camp for boys was founded in 1916 by Henry H. Blagden, a son of Thomas Blagden, and for most of his life was the "foundry" in which he and his wife Mary molded the character and ideals of the many young men who saw in "Hank" a living example of Christian principles and leadership. From the first Fish Creek Pond to church the boys came in the back of the camp truck, all standing, and on rare occasions on a barge to the head of Upper Saranac in Back Bay. From there they climbed the hill to the Church of the Ascension.

During those years the minister was in the habit of preaching a short, special sermon for the boys of La Jeunesse and the other young people of the congregation. Frequently it was related in some way to the regular sermon for which it became a preamble. Many amusing incidents took place over the years, of which the following is but one: "Hank" made sure before Church that each camper had a dime for the collection plate. On one occasion the plate was dropped by an usher returning up the aisle, with the result that there were dimes rolling to every corner of the chancel with young campers on hands and knees "collecting" them. Of the numerous memorial plaques on the walls of the chancel and nave, two pertain to the lasting influence of La Jeunesse: one to the thirteen old boys and the camp nurse, all of whom gave their lives in the Second World War, another to Henry H. Blagden.

Blagden family in 1894, from left to right:
In background, seated, Mrs. Thomas Blagden, wife of Judge Blagden (and step-mother of Mr. Thomas Blagden) Mrs. Thomas Blagden and,
standing, Mr. Thomas Blagden
In foreground, on step, Donald Blagden; Benjamin D. S. Blagden; Henry H. Blagden; Thomas Blagden, Jr.; Augustus S. Blagden and Guide, Dave Cronk.

The Church of the Ascension is unique in that many families have attended the church for several generations. For example, the picture of the Blagden family shows three generations on the porch of the "Cabin." All of them attended services at the church. Three more generations, as yet unborn when that picture was taken, attend the church today. Why is there this continuing focus? Perhaps some of the answers are contained in the comments of one of our clergymen, a Chairman of the Church Committee and a President of the Board of Trustees:

"There is something quite distinctive about the congregation. It is made up of members of different denominations of the Christian Church. Yet they all enter into the service as with one heart and one mind, showing that they all are glad to go into the House of the Lord together and join in common worship. I have been made very happy to call them all my parishioners and to have them speak of me as their Rector."

—Dr. L. W. Richardson

"Our church life at the Inn under Dr. Richardson's ministry and simple services have been most helpful and satisfactory to all concerned. It represents a more nearly Christian service than anything of which I have knowledge elsewhere and so is acceptable to men and women of all denominations."

—Mr. F. J. Firth

"When I am in the little log church on the hill I feel nearer to God than anywhere else on earth."

—Mr. A. S. Blagden

A PRAYER

Our Father, who hast set a restlessness in our hearts, and made us all seekers after that which we can never fully find; forbid us to be satisfied with what we make of life. Draw us from base content and set our eyes on far-off goals. Keep us at tasks too hard for us, that we may be driven to thee for strength. Deliver us from fretfulness and self-pity; make us sure of the goal we cannot see, and of the hidden good in the world. Open our eyes to simple beauty all around us, and our hearts to the loveliness men hide from us because we do not trust them enough. Save us from ourselves and show us a vision of a world made new. May the Spirit of peace and illumination so enlighten our minds that all life shall glow with new meaning and new purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Appendix I

MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Pierpont Adams
George Allmutt
The Rev. Canon
Harold A. Arrowsmith
Francis Nathan Bangs
Francis Sedgwick Bangs*
Henry McComb Bangs
James Lenox Banks
George H. Bates
Alfred H. Belo*
W. G. Bibb
Peyton R. Biddle** (President)
Arthur E. Billings, M.D.
Georgina Miller Bissell (Mrs. George P., Jr.)
Augustus S. Blagden
Mrs. Augustus S. Blagden (Hon.)
Benjamin D. S. Blagden
Mrs. Benjamin D. S. Blagden (Hon.)
Donald P. Blagden
Henry H. Blagden
Joseph W. Blagden
Thomas Blagden*
Thomas Blagden, Jr.
Cornelius N. Bliss, Jr.
Samuel T. Bodine**
Samuel K. Bremner, M.D.
Sharswood S. Brinton
William Brookfield*
Frederick Brooks
Thomas R. Brown, M.D.
Edwin M. Bulkley
Harold K. Bulkley
Richard Cabot, M.D.
H. W. Calhoun*
W. T. Coleman Carpenter
George P. Chandler
Frederick Claussen
Austen Colgate*
Sidney M. Colgate*
Frank Lee Connable
William Mc. Cruickshank
The Rev. Henry Darlington
Henry Darlington, Jr.
Caroline Christie Adams Davidson (Mrs. A. Barrett)
Hughes Dayton, M.D.
A. J. D. Dixon
Cleveland H. Dodge
Norman H. Donald
Robert Dunn Douglass
Frederick R. Drayton
Frederick M. Dunn*
J. H. Dunn*
Miles Farrow
Frank J. Firth*
Henry H. Firth*
Walter E. Frew
Emil E. Gabler
Prescott LeB. Gardner
W. Eugene Gary
William H. George*
Frederick H. Gibbens*
Harold H. Hackett
Molly Thayer Hannum** (Mrs. R. Penn S.)
Calista Lincoln Harder** (Mrs. Henry U.)
Henry U. Harder
Toney A. Hardy
Henry Frazer Harris
Arthur S. Higgins
L. Emmett Holt, M.D.
Leslie Bissell Hoopes** (Mrs. Joseph C., Jr.)
The Rev. Arnold H. Hord
William T. Hord** (Vice President)
Robert Howard
Samuel P. Howe
Frederick H. Humphreys
Augustus L. Hyde
Henry St. John Hyde
F. N. Iglehart
R. Winder Johnson*
Percy Keating
The Rev. Arthur Lee Kinsolving
C. Herman Krumbhaar
F. LaMotte, Jr.
W. Linton Landreth
Francis D. Lewis*
Joseph W. Lewis
Frederic W. Lincoln
Mrs. Frederic W. Lincoln (Hon.)
Horatio G. Lloyd
John E. Lloyd
William M. Lloyd
T. D'Arcy Lucas, M.D.
The Rev. F. R. Luckey
Robert H. McConnell, M.D.
James McCourt
R. McGusty
William E. Marble
Harrington Mills
Rolland G. Monroe
Anita Packard Montgomery** (Mrs. Archibald R. III) (Secretary)
Archibald R. Montgomery, III
S. Rowland Morgan, Jr.
Walter C. Mordecai
Hugh Mulholland
John P. Munn, M.D.
Arthur E. Newbold
Arthur E. Newbold, Jr.
T. Jefferson Newbold
Earl W. Osborne
Thomas W. Osborne
Francis R. Packard, M.D.
George R. Packard
George R. Packard, Jr.
Mrs. Sally Scribner Packard
Charles Peabody*
Charles Wheeler Pearson
Ralph Peters
Herbert C. Pollock
Sewell A. Reeves
J. W. Moore Richardson
Mrs. J. W. Moore Richardson (Hon.)
Leonard W. Richardson, Jr.
Daniel W. Riddle*
George W. Riddle
C. Lothrop Ritchie
Charles L. Ritchie, Jr.
Charles J. Rhoades
Mary Lloyd Robb (Mrs. Edwin G.)
Joseph R. Rollins, Jr.
Joseph R. Rollins, III
Percy Rockefeller
The Rev. Canon George A. Robertshaw
C. Chandler Ross
Ann Sheffield Roth (Mrs. Richard)
D. W. Runkle
Henry G. Runkle
Walter M. Schwartz
John L. Severence
Frederick W. Sheffield
James R. Sheffield*
Elizabeth Richardson Simmons** (Mrs. Grant G., Jr.) (Treasurer)
Grant G. Simmons, Jr.
Eugene B. Simonin
L. T. Slaughter
Alexis duPont Smith, M.D.*
Swen Albin Swenson
Robert T. Tate, Jr.**
James G. Tebbutt, Jr.
Robert W. Tilney
Edmund Thayer, Jr.
Dorothy Ritchie Valhouli** (Mrs. James N.)
Emmalls Waggoman [sic] Ennals Waggaman
John B. Walker, M.D.
Samuel B. Ward, M.D.*
Walter H. Wells**
Parker S. Williams
Fred J. Winston
L. Caspar Wister
Caspar Wister
R. S. Wright

* Members of the First Church Committee ** Trustees at the time of the Centennial Year

Appendix II

MARRIAGES

1896 - Gilbert T. Murray - Katharine M. Winton
1903 - Arnold Harris Hord - Annie Robb Firth
1910 - Charles Ludwig Mendelken - Mary Agnes Healy
1920 - John Howard Davies - Kate Haines Johnson
1936 - James Bordley III - Julia Peabody Ross
1937 - Arthur Lee Kinsolving - Mary Kemp Blagden
1942 - Benjamin D. S. Blagden - Mary Billings
1943 - Richard George Canning - Margaret Arnold Hardy
1948 - Sherman Billings Cawley - Mary Ogden Hardy
1957 - Klaus Hummeler - Mary P. Billings
1970 - Terry Joseph Jameson - Elizabeth Allinson Hord
1975 - James Nicholas Valhouli - Dorothy Newbold Ritchie
1976 - Eric Chapman Browne - Sue Ellen Treichel
1978 A. Barrett Davidson - Caroline Christie Adams
1978 Keith Patrick Walsh - Donna Mary Duley
1979 James Harold Briggs - Trudy Upham Harder
1979 Herbert James Pollock - Carol Ann Penfield
1982 Gene Stephen Malcolm Hollyer - Calista Hawthorne Harder
1983 Henry Darlington III - Curry Chase Meredith

Appendix III

BAPTISMS

LaBelle Boyce Dunlop - 1896

Boyce Dunlop - 1896

John Robertson Dunlop, Jr. - 1896

Helen Ennis Belo - 1902

Winslow Lewis - 1904

Blanch Hayward Riddle - 1904

William Jackson Bremner - 1907

Joseph Washington Blagden - 1908

Ann Packard - 1908

Cynthia Bangs - 1916

Adele Warden - 1916

Mary Helen Warden - 1916

Clarence Arthur Warden, Jr. - 1916

Charles Lothrop Ritchie, Jr. - 1923

Mary Child Barker Plummer - 1925

Anita Clothier Packard - 1929

John Robertson Dunlap IV - 1931

Anne Adams Lockwood - 1931

Helen Peabody Blagden - 1937

Percilla Avery Lincoln - 1938

Anne Washington Blagden - 1940

Clifford Lloyd Bache Michel - 1940

John Connable Bennett II - 1940

Florence Philena Lincoln - 1941

Henry Harrison Blagden, Jr. - 1943

Anne Cornell Sheffield - 1943

Charles Eccleston Hayward - 1945

Barbara Canning - 1946

Thomas Jefferson Newbold, Jr. - 1946

Barbara Beckwith Smith - 1946

Peter Mathis Newbold - 1948

Joseph Washington Blagden, Jr. - 1949

Dianne Conger Burnham - 1950

Karl Beckwith Smith III - 1950

Shirley Valora Button - 1954

Edward Wickham Leisenring - 1954

Ann Thomson Billings - 1955

Paige Earle Dunlap - 1958

William Aldrich Richardson - 1962

Holly Harris Harder - 1962

David A. Robertshaw - 1963

Arden Harry de Brun - 1965

Scott Hamilton de Brun - 1965

Michele Patrice de Brun - 1965

Kimberly Anne Ladewig - 1967

Michael Thomas Short - 1967

Brian Garner Ladewig - 1970

James Rockwell Sheffield III

1969 Leslie Parvin Poole - 1971

Florence Kelley Short - 1971

Sarah Tod Sheffield - 1971

Elizabeth Watt Packard - 1972

Scott Robinson Gibson - 1973

Stephen Michael Ritchie - 1974

Christopher Edwards Jameson - 1974

Hannah Bennett Biddle - 1975

Allison Ann Stiles - 1976

Christopher Duncan Welsh - 1977

Carolyn Lee Ritchie - 1977

James Ritchie Valhouli - 1977

Peyton Randolph Biddle, III - 1979

Benjamin Lincoln Short - 1980

George Lincoln Briggs - 1981

Jackson Lang Blagden - 1981

Andrew DeLand Wells - 1983

Appendix IV

MEMORIALS

1. Ascension window Gift of Julia P. Chandler in memory of her husband, Charles W. Chandler.

2. Bronze plaque In memory of The Reverend Henry Darlington, D.D., Minister in charge 1932-1936, Trustee 1936-1955 "Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end"

3. Stained glass window In memory of Julia Peabody Chandler Ross and Walter Lewis Ross "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want"

4. Carved wood plaque In loving memory of Frederic W. Lincoln, 1898-1968, Isabel R. Lincoln, 1902-1980

5. Stained glass window In memory of Faith Rockefeller Model "And the King of Glory shall come in" "The earth is the Lord's"

6. Stained glass window In memoriam, 1879 Augustus Silliman Blagden 1960 1882 Anne Washington Blagden 1969 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help"

7. Carved wood plaque In memory of Arthur Lee Kinsolving, 1899-1977

8. Bronze plaque In memory of Leonard Woods Richardson, D.D., for thirty-two summers Minister in charge of this Chapel, 1897-1929

9. Carved wood plaque In memory of Pierpont Adams, 1902-1977

10. Stained glass window In memoriam George A. Robertshaw, Beloved Rector 1937-1964 "Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven"

11. Stained glass window In loving memory of Alfred Horatio Belo, Jr. and Helen Ponder Belo from their daughters Helen Belo Morrison and Jane Belo Tannenbaum 1965 "In thy presence is the fullness of joy" "At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore"

12. Stained glass window To the glory of God and in loving memory of Augusta Mason Connable

13. Carved wood plaque Showing the names of persons in whose memory the church property was given:

Francis S. Bangs, Fannie E. Bates, Alfred Horatio Belo, Helen Peabody Blagden, J. Lloyd Coates, Augusta Mason Connable, Elliott Darlington, Richard Dolmetsch, Alice Bontecou Goss Douglass, Henry Herberton Firth, Walter E. Frew, James McCourt, T. Jefferson Newbold, Arthur Emlen Newbold, Elizabeth Waln Wistar Packard, George Randolph Packard, Francis R. Packard, M.D., J. W. Moore Richardson, Jr., Elsie S. Rockefeller, Walter Lewis Ross, James R. Sheffield, J. Moore Simonin, Marjorie Adams Thebund, John B. Walker, M.D. - 1952

14. World War I Service Flag In memory of the five members of the congregation of the Church of the Ascen-sion who gave their lives for their country, and the fifty others who served in the armed services of the United States. The gift of Walter Horstmann.

15. High stained glass window over church door Installed in 1884 — a gift of Miss Helen C. Whitney (later Mrs. Francis S. Bangs)

16. Belfrey and Bell In loving memory of Thomas Blagden, 1853-1938 and his wife Helen Peabody Blagden, 1855-1938 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help"

17. Carved wood plaque 1892-1958, Benjamin Douglas Silliman Blagden, Trustee of this Chapel "The strength of the hills is His also" "He leadeth me beside the still waters"

18. Stained glass window To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Harrington Mills 1870-1935

19. Stained glass window In memory of Norman Henderson Donald, 1881-1966, a gift of his wife and children "He loveth righteousness and judgement" "The Earth is full of the goodness of the Lord"

20. Carved wood plaque "God give us clean hands, clean words, clean thoughts" Henry Harrison Blagden, 1888-1957

21. Bronze plaque In loving memory of John Giraud Agar, Jr., Harold Kidder Bulkley, John Van Wickeron Reynders, Jr., Who died in the service of their country during the Great War 1917-1919 This tablet is placed by the Upper Saranac Yacht Club, A.D. MCMXIX "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"

22. Carved wood plaque In memory of Charles Chandler Ross, 1898-1974

23. Stained glass window In loving memory of Mabel Ross Hardy, wife of Toney A. Hardy for many years a faithful member of this congregation

24. Stained glass window In memory of J. W. Moore Richardson, Trustee of this Church, 1939-1960 "Lord who shall abide in thy tabernacle Who shall dwell in thy Holy Hill"

25. Carved stone Baptismal Font In loving memory, George W. Blagden, 1885-1887 Gift of Thomas Blagden 1905

26. Carved wood plaque La Jeunesee, Old Timers Association, In Memoriam 1941-1945,
C. Griscom Randle, Jr., Morton C. Eustis, Warren H. Abercrombie, George C. Brown, Francis N. Bangs, Jr., Gilman D. Blake, Jr., William Flynn, 2nd, Benjamin O'F. Randolph, Jr., Thaddeus Terry, James B. Lyon, John V. Eden, Edwin B. Eckerson, Robert A. Aird, Jr., Annabelle Decker, R.N.,